Recruiting continues to start earlier and earlier. Bama has 11 commits for next Feb, Ohio State 9, and LSU 10 in what is shaping up to be a very good class for them.

But as always, Texas is Usain Bolt and picked up their 20th commit yesterday (Cedric Reed (also offered by USC, OU, LSU, and Bama). Rivals hasn't come out with their stars/rankings yet, but Scout gives UT five 5-stars so far, with Malcolm Brown and Josh Turner the last 2 targets for this UT class. It's gotten so ridiculous that a guy who would commit to UT yesterday like Nathan Hughes (who sports offers from Bama, LSU, FSU, OU, and ND) doesn't get offered b/c Texas is getting hits on virtually anyone they want in-state.

This is one of the very best classes in Ohio in the last 20 years. The bad news? We only have 20-21 ships. I might never see another year where so many OSU caliber Ohio kids do not get an offer.

This Class will be 90% filled before the season starts.

For the first time I can remember, the camps at OSU this season in June will have little to nothing to do with 2011 kids. It will be about scouting 2012.

BTW, is this actually getting ealier for UT? Seems par for the course since I've been paying attention.

Good to hear your having more success with the top kids.

It was not unusual for UT to consistantly only nab 2-4 of the top ten in Texas, which is tough for most fans to really grasp because while that would be terrible in Ohio or Georgia, its not the same because of Texas depth compartitvely.

But therein lies most of peteys recruiting success. Cali has that type of talent and he DOES get 7-8 of the top 10.....

That's the # 2-5 players in Texas committed to UT, with Malcolm Brown the last big fish to reel in.

It was not unusual for UT to consistantly only nab 2-4 of the top ten in Texas,

Back in the 80s, in the Akers/McWilliams era, there were years where, believe it or not, UT would get only 1 or 2 of the top 50 players in the state in the mid80s. Of course, those were also the years where SMU, Aggy, and OU were using FedEx quite often and Miami (eg Jesse Armstead) and FSU (eg David Warren) would poach a few of the top guys in the state every year. But Muschamp has given the entire coaching staff a kick in the rear and Texas, save for 1 or 2 kids every year, is getting anybody they target in the state. The only out of state targets for UT this year was Westerman out of Arizona (committed) and Josh Turner out of Oklahoma (probably 50/50).

You'll be happy to know that Texas is not targeting anybody out of Ohio this year, so there will not be a Jordan Hicks II.

We continue to be right there with Miller, but I don't think anyone sane would call him a lock. In fact at this point I was more confident in getting Pryor than I am with Miller. But I think in the end he comes to OSU.

As for Depreist, looks like a 2 horse race, With Bama holding the slight lead at this point. Of course OSU is hot on this one, as people think he is very comparable to Hicks, and it would be tough to watch two players of that magnitude (at LB no less) leave the state.

But there is a huge logjam at LB right now, so if that is something really important to him, then he wont come to OSU. Not saying anything about Bama there, just saying when Players like Sabino can't sniff the field until thier Junior seasons, and players like Bell get REDSHIRTED, there is a log jam at LB.

20 commits for Texas is about par for the course and now everybody is filling up early in the state.

DT Marquis Anderson committed to Oklahoma (who are putting together a pretty salty class themselves) tonight, meaning that, 9 months prior to National Signing Day 2011, only 7 of the top 30 players in Texas remain uncommitted.

JoJo, what's going to be the deal with Rasco? Being an Evangel guy isn't a positive for LSU, but I think he'll want to milk the process which isn't exactly Mac's cup of coffee these days. I don't expect to land him at LSU, but I'd like to. He's going to be a great player, and beside Freak Johnson I think he could do some damage.

Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

"Dammit you piss me off. I f#ckin hate you and I hope you f#cking get killed by a rabid polar bear you douche bag."

Bayou Tribe wrote:JoJo, what's going to be the deal with Rasco? Being an Evangel guy isn't a positive for LSU, but I think he'll want to milk the process which isn't exactly Mac's cup of coffee these days. I don't expect to land him at LSU, but I'd like to. He's going to be a great player, and beside Freak Johnson I think he could do some damage.

Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

Rasco and UT have moved on from each other, from what I hear. I think Bama may be a threat for Rasco's services, actually.

Not sure about "odds" but OSU is the presumptive leader for both Miller and Grant.

Grant's dad went to Michigan St., but he's an Akron kid, and OSU's track record of putting cornerbacks into the NFL has to help out here...he is said to be an OSU lean at this point.

According to one insider I trust completely, Braxton Miller is a done deal for the Buckeyes. He says it's all over but the announcement. Obviously anything can happen, but the timing couldn't be better for Miller and OSU...he sits for a year learning behind Pryor as a senior...then takes the reins.

"It's all about winning for me, and I think the Cavs are committed to doing that," he said. "But at the same time I've given myself options to this point, and like I said before, me and my team, we have a game plan that we're going to execute, and we'll see what we get."

These lists are generated for the service to sell subscriptions and they often change to meet those means. As guys commit they generally slide because what fun is if the only drama on signing day is where will #17, 21, 29, and 57 sign. It sounds much better if it is #1, #4, #7 etc.

The services are pretty bad now, the lists are based largely on offer lists, combine results and highlight footage, not actual game footage.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Sounds like Warren Ball lands an offer from the Buckeyes come Sept. 1, the first day written scholarship offers are allowed to be sent out to the Class of 2012. If he gets it it's a done deal according to sources. Oh yeah around the Woody Hayes Facility, Ball has already landed the following nickname among the staff: Walter. As in Payton.

Like the late, great Payton, Ball wears No. 34. Though Ball is taller than the Chicago Bears legend, the staff believes their running styles are similar. Ball was supposed to attend a camp at Notre Dame this week but canceled.

I was a little bit surprised to see the low numbers of 2011 commitments for our Big Ten brethren...mostly in the range of 5-6 or less. All while OSU has 15 commits and another 5 reportedly in the bag, just waiting for the right time to announce.

If you take the current 15...add Nick Vannett this week...and then assume CB Doran Grant, OT Aundrey Walker, WR Shane Wynn and S Ron Tanner, that leaves very little drama for the next 8 months till signing day.

Only 2-4 more recruits can realistically be added to that first 20..Price, the LB from PA would be one possibility, (especially since it appears Trey DePriest might get away from us)

Bottom line...it's all over but the shouting for 2011. It's the new Tressel paradigm. But here's what's blowing my mind about recruiting at OSU...

It's almost over but the shouting for 2012 too!

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Two main factors contributing to this:

1) Ohio is loaded with elite talent in 2012, and of the top ten or so, all could be said to be Buckeye leans at this point, many of them strongly so.

2) OSU has a very limited number of scholarships available for 2012 (as few as 14...at best a few more than that)

Without leaving the state, OSU could fill a minimum of 12 of those spots with blue-chip talents, all of which they currently "lead" for...with Josh Perry just the first to make his Buckeye love public.

You'll come to be more familiar with the names (I know..it's ridiculously early to be doing this kind of speculating), but here are a few...

Transfers of Jermil Martin, Lamaar Thomas and Keith Wells, and loss of Carter, plus some early NFL departures this January (Posey?) could give them some relief on that 14 number, but it's unbelievable how easy it is to project the large majority of the Class of 2012 at this early juncture.

"I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken

The Dline.....well I had all but written off Ohio for ultra talented DE/DT's over the last 8-10 years.....now there is 10+ years worth of talent at those positions in a two year span - and we are getting our pick of the litter.

As for 2012, don't forget about that QB that caught thier eye at camp, I think McCollister.

Wilder's film is amazing. He has good speed, good quicks, all the moves, and he runs with such power for his build. I am waiting to see what he does once he puts on that NCAA 15-20lbs, he will be an animal. Most of the sites love him as an LB and he could definitely succeed there based on his film. I wonder what FSU will end up doing with him.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Never know though. Look at the Tyler kid that went to USC. He's at LB now.

Great film and physical specimen for a HSer though. Was somewhat of a surprise for FSU but I think it was more folks getting ahead of themselves with UF and UGA love with no real backing behind it. If he was as much a lock as UGA thought then there owuld have been a helluva lot more smoke.

Playing here is the closest thing to heaven. Really, I mean it's amazing to be in a place where the fans truly cherish their football team and stick behind them win or lose. We players love them, too. I feel a sense of accomplishment playing here, we are a special breed of football players with a great opportunity." ~ tOSU LB Brian Rolle

JCoz wrote:This is one of the very best classes in Ohio in the last 20 years. The bad news? We only have 20-21 ships. I might never see another year where so many OSU caliber Ohio kids do not get an offer.

This is a funny comment look back just a couple months. Wiz you had already called this later in the thread....

Thought you Buckeye fans would be interested in this nugget from Gerry Hamilton (considered the best in the biz re: Texas recruiting) -

Dallas Skyline LB Anthony Wallace was offered by Ohio State this morning. The 6-0, 220-pounder becomes the first Skyline player to be offered by Ohio State since head coach Reginald Samples took over as head coach. Quite an accomplishment for Wallace considering all the talented players that came before him in recent years.

Ohio State immediately moves into his top three following Miami and Oklahoma. Arkansas is fourth. Still think Miami has a slight edge right now.

Yeah, I had just heard this. The kid has 30ish scholarship offers from all the big boys, is listed as a 5 star on Scout, and apparently he (or his people) reached out to OSU. I am sure the Buckeyes would have loved to get in on this kid earlier, but unless there is some kind of connection with the school or the kids family/friends why would you spend the time to go hard. Particularly when the staff thought they had at least an above average shot at DePriest, Thomas and Vaughters.

I haven't seen or heard much on the kid, other than he looks good on film (imagine that, a 5* kid with good film) is a physical player and is a little smaller than the typical OSU LB (not a dig on the kid at all Brian Rolle is small too). He is now the best LB out there with an OSU offer; Bucks currently have offers out to Price, Crowell and Kent Turene. Turene is a pipe dream, Crowell and Price are pbly 50:50, but I suspect that if they get Wallace the first one of Price and Crowell to commit gets the spot.

Current rumor is that Wallace has agreed to an official and that the Bucks are trying to get him down for the Miami game. That is definitely the right atmosphere to try to sell a recruit.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

JCoz wrote:This is one of the very best classes in Ohio in the last 20 years. The bad news? We only have 20-21 ships. I might never see another year where so many OSU caliber Ohio kids do not get an offer.

This is a funny comment look back just a couple months. Wiz you had already called this later in the thread....

We'll have to wait all of one year for that. LOL.

Sharks will be circling Ohio waters in 2012, you can bet on that.

2012 is shaping up to be absolutely ridiculous. Ohio has 2 ridiculous RBs (Ball and Dunn) that OSU leads. The Buckeyes are also in the running (leading depending who you talk to) for Rushel Shell form PA, who will likely be the #1 RB in the country.

The 2012 class out of Ohio is absolutely stacked and the Buckeyes look to be in prime position to cash in. The DL in that class might even be more impressive, the question is where are they going to put them (Washington and Wormley) after this year's excellent haul on the DL and the youth already there.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

A kid's 40 time is automatically cut down by a tenth if he is from the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line. The FL talent hype is a bit ridiculous. There are a lot of great players down there, just not as many as the pundits would have you believe. Believe it or not, there are lots of cornfed kids from the MW that can play ball too. You would think that given the number of them in the NFL, that Rivals and ESPN would start looking at them a bit harder. This ESPN list would have you believe that proportionately ~8% of the NFL is from the MW, and that 60% are from the SE. That seems a bit ridiculous.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

CB Doran Grant formally committed to OSU during the Under Amour Game currently being played on ESPN. Had he done it a day earlier he might've gotten some PT in last night's Sugar Bowl the way guys were dropping.

And we wonder how these kids get turned sideways early in life. This game is a pretty good example.

After watching tonight's UA game, I will repeat my statement from months ago...

Bayou Tribe wrote:Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

"Dammit you piss me off. I f#ckin hate you and I hope you f#cking get killed by a rabid polar bear you douche bag."

Bayou Tribe wrote:Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

Watched the game, and couldn't agree more. The kid has skills and unreal polish. he played like a college senior last night.

Other kids I was impressed with: #47 in white...Xzavier something or other, DL who committed to Bama...Clowney of course, was awesome too. Chickillo, the Mimai DE was pretty damn impressive too.

The QB Frazier who's going to Auburn, and looks like a Cam Newton clone.

Driskel, the QB Gator commit looks awfully good.

Grant (OSU CB) looks like the real deal although I only saw him make a couple of plays. he just looks the part...they say he has great hands and instincts. The hands failed him at least once last night, but he's always around the ball.

Braxton had some very nice moves and throws, but fumbled once when he tried to juke one too many huge defenders

Unbelievable talent level across the board in that game.

"I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken

Bayou Tribe wrote:Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

Your boy did get bumped up to a 5-star in Rivals last ranking, along with Freak. Great class for LSU already, and they still have a shot at Jernigan and Drew.

I'm surprised that Auburn is getting more in-state talent in this year's class than Alabama. Despite the MNC, 75% of Bama residents are Bama fans. Auburn also successfully poached Christian Westerman from UT on Friday, the bastards.

Bayou Tribe wrote:Also, saw that Scout had Jarvis Landry as the 12th rated wide receiver in the country. If you can find me 11 better high school wide receivers in this country, than you're a better man than I.

Your boy did get bumped up to a 5-star in Rivals last ranking, along with Freak. Great class for LSU already, and they still have a shot at Jernigan and Drew.

I'm surprised that Auburn is getting more in-state talent in this year's class than Alabama. Despite the MNC, 75% of Bama residents are Bama fans. Auburn also successfully poached Christian Westerman from UT on Friday, the bastards.

I think LSU will finish up with Rasco and may offer an instate guy like Chris Briggs or TK Fleming a grayshirt. Some people are buying the Drew/Jernigan hype, I just can't see us pulling those guys. Hope I'm wrong.

"Dammit you piss me off. I f#ckin hate you and I hope you f#cking get killed by a rabid polar bear you douche bag."